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Posts Tagged ‘
ecofriendly ’

Part of being ‚Äúgreen‚ÄĚ means making some thoughtful decisions.¬† As an EcoBroker, I find that clients often say they want to be green because they have a romanticized view of what this entails, aptly named greenwashing.

The reality is that they are usually not sure what it really means.¬† In many cases, they find that going GREEN can mean giving up some of their high style options.¬† As their Realtor, my job is to help them find the satisfaction in choosing the long term benefits of going GREEN.

My basic rules of ecofriendly real estate include:

Renovating an existing property is always greener than new construction (even if it is in a green community with an energy star rating).¬† Anytime new land is cleared, the environment and all the flora and fauna are decimated.

Local materials should be selected whenever possible.¬† Transporting building materials can add up to a huge carbon footprint.

Energy saving features should take priority in the budget.¬† Investing in a long term benefit of reduced energy consumption is good for the buyer and the planet.

Water conservation should be part of the landscaping plan.¬† Drought tolerant lawns and plant materials are also easier to care for.¬† Native plants are always a good option.¬† Placing plants in the optimal conditions will also reduce the need for watering.

Explore all tax credits, state and federal, to know the bottom line.¬† The Obama administration has implemented serious incentives for upgrading hvac, windows, and insulation and other energy saving products.

Find a lender who can provide a ‚Äúgreen‚ÄĚ mortgage product.¬† Many of these loans will permit a higher amount to be borrowed provided it will go toward energy saving improvements. Continue reading this post

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